Hey folks,
I've been lurking about on this forum for a little while now, getting info together, sticking my nose into the community and doing my research about these fab little cars.
As a bit of background; I have a varied history of cars, including:
- Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf
- Mazda RX8 (231)
- BMW 325i M Sport (E46)
- Honda S2000
I recently sold my S2000 for wanting 4 seats again and better economy, but still retaining pace and fun - cue the Clio 172.
After doing my research (courtesy of this great forum), I'd settled on a phase two 172 in either Monaco Blue or Flame Red.
So I set to scouring the web for one and I found this one on eBay; who turned out to be 'dalespitfire' on this forum (a great chap and a credit to the forum, must be said)! So she's staying in the cliosport.net fold.
After an extensive chat and a good look at numerous hi-res photos I committed to buy her over the phone and picked her up the following evening (which was last night).
After a two hour (plus) drive we got there, and saw the car straight away - what a beauty she is! Phill couldn't have been more honest about the car and it really is in fantastic condition in & out. It was also the first time I'd seen Flame Red in the flesh too, so a touch of a gamble but I couldn't be happier. A quick test drive later and I was hooked, I couldn't give the cash to Phill sooner!
I set off homeward bound from Phill's about 9'ish and pulled over at a pub en route to take a quick snap to mark the occasion (dusk lighting and a mobile phone camera):
The drive home was fantastic as I was essentially learning for the first time how incredibly well this thing handles! Coming from the squat, well poised, direct & rear-wheel drive S2000 I was prepared to accept the handling wouldn't inspire me quite as much; how wrong I was. This thing just grips and grips and dare I say it, I have a bigger grin on my face when I chuck this little car about than I did in the S2000! What's more, on-track I have no doubt that I'd actually have more confidence in the 172 and would be able to push a whole lot harder.
Straight line pace isn't far off at all from the S2000 either, as the Clio is considerably lighter. I love the gruff & raw engine note and it feels really torquey when you get above 4000rpm, a cracking engine.
So all round this car has it all in one package; power, lightness, nimble, grippy, economical and practical! I can't ask for much more, and we certainly can't do better for our money than one of these things - I am a very proud new owner indeed!
First thing for the Flame Red 172 is a full cam belt & aux belt kit, dephaser pulley and water pump (maybe), as its due pretty much right now. As bizarre as it sounds, I did actually want a 172 that needed its belts doing so I can get them done by a reputable specialist myself and have the confidence in the car knowing its been done well. Once done, she'll be good to go for a long time indeed.
Looking forward to a lot of happy miles and also getting involved in the cliosport.net community
Rhauri
I've been lurking about on this forum for a little while now, getting info together, sticking my nose into the community and doing my research about these fab little cars.
As a bit of background; I have a varied history of cars, including:
- Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf
- Mazda RX8 (231)
- BMW 325i M Sport (E46)
- Honda S2000
I recently sold my S2000 for wanting 4 seats again and better economy, but still retaining pace and fun - cue the Clio 172.
After doing my research (courtesy of this great forum), I'd settled on a phase two 172 in either Monaco Blue or Flame Red.
So I set to scouring the web for one and I found this one on eBay; who turned out to be 'dalespitfire' on this forum (a great chap and a credit to the forum, must be said)! So she's staying in the cliosport.net fold.
After an extensive chat and a good look at numerous hi-res photos I committed to buy her over the phone and picked her up the following evening (which was last night).
After a two hour (plus) drive we got there, and saw the car straight away - what a beauty she is! Phill couldn't have been more honest about the car and it really is in fantastic condition in & out. It was also the first time I'd seen Flame Red in the flesh too, so a touch of a gamble but I couldn't be happier. A quick test drive later and I was hooked, I couldn't give the cash to Phill sooner!
I set off homeward bound from Phill's about 9'ish and pulled over at a pub en route to take a quick snap to mark the occasion (dusk lighting and a mobile phone camera):
The drive home was fantastic as I was essentially learning for the first time how incredibly well this thing handles! Coming from the squat, well poised, direct & rear-wheel drive S2000 I was prepared to accept the handling wouldn't inspire me quite as much; how wrong I was. This thing just grips and grips and dare I say it, I have a bigger grin on my face when I chuck this little car about than I did in the S2000! What's more, on-track I have no doubt that I'd actually have more confidence in the 172 and would be able to push a whole lot harder.
Straight line pace isn't far off at all from the S2000 either, as the Clio is considerably lighter. I love the gruff & raw engine note and it feels really torquey when you get above 4000rpm, a cracking engine.
So all round this car has it all in one package; power, lightness, nimble, grippy, economical and practical! I can't ask for much more, and we certainly can't do better for our money than one of these things - I am a very proud new owner indeed!
First thing for the Flame Red 172 is a full cam belt & aux belt kit, dephaser pulley and water pump (maybe), as its due pretty much right now. As bizarre as it sounds, I did actually want a 172 that needed its belts doing so I can get them done by a reputable specialist myself and have the confidence in the car knowing its been done well. Once done, she'll be good to go for a long time indeed.
Looking forward to a lot of happy miles and also getting involved in the cliosport.net community
Rhauri
